Get more done: How to create a productive study space

You’re ready to study, for real this time. You sit at your desk and rub the ache at the back of your neck. Your phone chirps. Your friend sent you a video of a koala eating a leaf. Actually, you’re hungry. You head for the kitchen. Did you buy cereal?

The modern world is so full of shiny things that distraction can be a major, ongoing impediment to productive work. “We think that we make decisions on our own, but the environment influences us to a great degree,” says Dr. Dan Ariely, a behavioral economist at Duke University in North Carolina (speaking to Eric Barker of the awesome blog Barking Up the Wrong Tree). “Because of that, we need to think about how to change our environment.”

By controlling your environment, you can improve your focus. You can also control your physical and mental comfort and stamina—and the likelihood that your assignment will make the deadline.

Click through the image to see what works.

Why it matters

Time management is a key skill in school (and life in general) and takes a while to master.

Students who perceived that they controlled their time had better performance, better life satisfaction, and fewer job-induced tensions than students with less control of their time, reported the Journal of Educational Psychology (1990).

What to do

Dedicate your most productive time of day to tasks requiring memory, concentration, and alertness. For many of us, our peak productivity window starts about two hours after we wake up and lasts two and a half hours, says Dr. Ariely. Your own body clock may be different.

Find a task management system that works for you, such as a wall calendar, daily planner, Kanban board, or app (try Todoist or Wunderlist).

On your calendar, color-code the timeframe for each project (e.g., a blue band spanning from the date the history paper was assigned to the date it’s due). In a 2014 study by the Journal of Consumer Research, this simple technique helped people meet their deadlines.

“What makes the biggest difference to productivity is if I can manage my time appropriately so that I only have to put in a few highly productive hours more regularly, rather than cram eight- to nine-hour work sessions.”—Kaden F., second-year graduate student, University of Victoria, British Columbia, Canada

“Having a desk calendar has been an enormous help to me. There’s a column designated for projects, one for to-dos, and one for general notes. In addition to having all of my important dates handy while I’m working, having a list of things that need to be done contributes to getting work done in a timely manner.”—Kendall H., first-year student, Wake Technical Community College, North Carolina

Why it matters

Loud or sudden noises can easily break concentration. The effect of noise on learning is somewhat individualized. Some people find background music or white noise helpful for focus; others find it distracting.

Music can stimulate our thinking and sustain our attention for some study tasks, according to a study in Learning andIndividual Differences (2012). Avoid musical distractions, however, such as loud, fast beats; lyrics; and drama. Also good to know: Music may make it more difficult to memorize a sequence of facts (Applied Cognitive Psychology, 2011).

What to do

Close the window, turn off or silence your phone, and work in a quiet, uncrowded area.

Experiment with different levels of background music and sound to figure out what works best for you. Try a white noise app, such as White Noise or Coffitivity.

In a survey by Student Health 101, students who found that music helped them study recommended instrumentals, classical, jazz, electronic, and film soundtracks. Try making a Pandora station or Spotify playlist of your favorite genres.

“White noise is good. Sometimes I use binaural beats to help me focus.”—James A., second-year graduate student, College of the Desert, California

“I get distracted by noise, so I put on headphones with ambient music playing so I can tune out the rest of the world.”—Audrey J., third-year student, Wake Technical Community College, North Carolina

Why it matters

Too much stuff on your desk is a hazard to focus, says the Journal of Neuroscience (2011). (For most of us, that is; some of us screen it out just fine.)

Color matters too, research suggests. White walls are bad for productivity, say researchers at the University of Texas. Red may provide helpful stimulation for detailed tasks, blue may promote creativity and communication, and green may be good for creativity and problem-solving, according to a study at the University of British Columbia (2009).

What to do

Declutter! Keep stuff you’re not using—books, plates, trash—out of your workspace and out of your line of sight.

Experiment with light: Some people prefer natural sunlight, while other people work better with artificial light, or a combination of both.

Position a couple of items in your line of sight that keep you calm and focused, like a visual schedule or a comforting photo.

It may not be practical to repaint. To experiment with color, try a solid-color wall hanging, poster, board, or screen above your desk.

“I keep my desk organized so I can easily get to what I need and so that I have enough space to work. My office is clutter free, and the one place that is all my own where I use scents and music conducive to a good working environment.”—Kristyn H., second-year student, Wake Technical Community College, North Carolina

“I try to have no clutter, especially items that remind me of other things I have to do (like a dirty shirt that reminds me of laundry).”—Melinda H., second-year student, College of the Desert, California

“The most helpful strategy is to have everything on my desk organized and available (pens, highlighters, flash cards, sticky notes, you name it) because I don’t want anything to interrupt my academic flow by making me go get it.”—Harmony J., second-year student, Del Mar College, Texas

Why it matters

Hunger, dehydration, and low blood sugar are major distractions. Low glucose levels impair memory and focus, according to a 2011 study in Nutrition Research.

Even mild dehydration can interfere with focus, according to the Journal of Nutrition (2012).

What to do

Snack on vegetables, fruits, beans, and nuts. The nutrients in these food groups are natural energy boosters, according to the Cleveland Clinic.

Avoid sugar: Sugary foods can provide bursts of energy but can leave you more tired than you were before, says a 2006 study in Human Psychopharmacology: Clinical and Experimental.

Drink coffee early: Caffeine is OK until 3 p.m. Caffeine consumed within six hours of going to bed has an adverse effect on sleep, according to a study in the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine (2013).

“I like to eat ‘study foods’ like berries and other fruit to help my brain focus.”—James A., second-year graduate student, College of the Desert, California

“I have snacks and a drink handy so I don’t have an excuse to wander into the kitchen!”—Whitney N., graduate student, Wayne State University, Michigan

Why it matters

Phones, computers, and tablets are major sources of distraction. Even receiving a phone notification can impair attention, reports the Journal of Experimental Psychology (2015).

More than 80 percent of students acknowledge that their gadgets interfere with their learning, and one in four says this hurts their grades, reports the Journal of Media Education (2014).

Phone notifications trigger dopamine reactions in the brain, similarly to stimuli like sugar, gambling, etc. “We’re not really addicted to our cell phones per se, but to the activities on our phones,” says Dr. James Roberts of Baylor University in Texas, who specializes in the psychology of consumer behavior.

What to do

Set your phone to silent or turn it off, and keep it out of your line of sight.

Log out of social media and entertainment sites.

Keep TVs and game systems turned off. If Netflix is your weakness, avoid starting a new season of a show when academic demands are high or imminent.

Just hit a deadline? Give yourself a tech reward for getting it done, such as 20 minutes of scrolling through your Instagram feed.

“I use browser extensions to block myself off from distracting websites for a certain amount of time. I can’t go on Facebook, Tumblr, YouTube, or Netflix for the next hour, and when that hour’s up, I can take a break from work.”—Rebecca R., third-year student, St. Mary’s College of Maryland

“[My strategy is] not having anything distracting around me like phone and TV. I unplug the internet when I don’t need it for schoolwork.”—Zach D., second-year graduate student, University of Central Arkansas

“I have an app on my phone that locks certain apps so all I can use it for is music and the timer. This helps me concentrate.”—Jessica N., fourth-year student, California State University, San Bernardino

“The ‘do not disturb’ function on the iPhone is incredibly useful while studying!”—Laura B., fourth-year student, Memorial University of Newfoundland, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada

Want to put your phone on lockdown? Try (OFFTIME).

Why it matters

Life is stressful, and stress can be an enemy of focus. In a 2007 study of almost 10,000 students at 14 colleges, seven out of ten students reported that they were stressed, and students who reported a high number of stressors had lower GPAs than those who didn’t.

However, students who felt able to handle their stress performed much better academically than those who didn’t, suggesting that learning stress-management techniques is key to student success, said researchers at the University of Minnesota.

“Once every half-hour, walk around, take a break, or do something other than what you’re doing.”—Santos U., second-year student, Wake Technical Community College, North Carolina

“Use sticky notes and install an app on the computer to remind you to take breaks.”—Terence H., second-year student, University of Washington Bothell

“Get one of those adult coloring books! If I finish a question or set of questions, I then reward myself with coloring part of it in, then I move on to another part of my homework and repeat.”—Morgan B., first-year student, Wake Technical Community College, North Carolina

Why it matters

Slumping over your laptop gets uncomfortable and can lead to eye strain and musculoskeletal disorders, including repetitive strain injuries such as carpal tunnel syndrome.

What to do

Position your keyboard directly in front of you at elbow height so you can type with straight wrists. An adjustable-height keyboard tray can help with this.

On the phone, put the phone on speaker and set it down, or use a phone headset; don’t tuck your ear to your shoulder.

Try not to tense your neck and shoulder muscles. Do short stretching exercises for your neck and shoulders frequently.

Alternate tasks and get up every so often.

If you’re able to, invest in a good ergonomic chair. Alternatively, if your chair doesn’t support the curve of your spine, try using a small pillow or towel roll to relieve pressure on your lower back.

Bonus tip: Experiment with alternatives to traditional desk chairs, such as exercise balls (for sitting on) or standing desks, or alternate between a ball and chair. Standing desks and treadmill desks may improve both cholesterol and mood, according to a study in Preventive Medicine (2015).

“[My best strategy] is working at an adjustable desk that allows me to stand.”—Candace R., first-year student, Austin Community College, Texas

“It’s all about the environment: adequate light (task lighting in addition to ambient light); good setup for posture for my neck, hips, and low back; white noise and no conversing or music with words; and cooler temp (68–69˚F) with good ventilation.”—Andey N., third-year graduate student, Portland State University, Oregon

Why it matters

Working from bed primes your brain to be awake there, which can interfere with sleep later, according to the National Sleep Foundation.

Interrupted or inadequate sleep seriously affects performance—impairing learning, memory, and grades, according to a 2014 study in Nature and Science of Sleep.

Lack of sleep makes us oblivious to just how poorly we’re doing. That’s according to a 2003 study published in Sleep. Even as the study participants became less able to sustain their attention and succeed at working memory tasks, they insisted they had adjusted to the shorter sleep hours.

Mixing up where you study (e.g., transferring from the library to the café) can help you remember your material, according to a 2008 study in Psychological Science in the Public Interest.

What to do

Have a designated workspace away from your bed; this helps your mind recognize the difference between work time and rest time.

If you have to work in your bedroom, physically separate your bed and your workspace. Keep work cues (schedule, laptop, textbooks) on your desk, and sleep cues (slumberous novel, fluffy bunny) by your bed.

If you’re slumping, try switching study locations. Maybe move to the student library or a local café.

“Sitting in a chair at a table or desk helps me get much more work done than sitting on the couch or in bed.”—Claire P., second-year graduate student, University of Maryland, College Park

“Use an actual desk. The [fewer] distractions one has, the more productive. Having to constantly readjust that pillow for back support on your bed is distracting.”—Name withheld, first-year student, Wake Technical Community College, North Carolina

“Studying at the library instead of in my room at home where there is a bed for potential naps.”—Eden B., second-year graduate student, Golden Gate University School of Law, California

Baker, E. (2015). How to be efficient. Barking Up the Wrong Tree. Retrieved from https://www.bakadesuyo.com/2014/10/how-to-be-efficient/#ixzz3HRhzYEcZ

Cho, M. (2013, July 05). How clutter affects your brain (and what you can do about it). Lifehacker.com. Retrieved from https://lifehacker.com/how-clutter-affects-your-brain-and-what-you-can-do-abo-662647035

Collins, A. (2016, August 6). Why you are waking up tired (and what you can do about it). Opencolleges.edu. Retrieved from https://blog.opencolleges.edu.au/2016/08/06/lw-why-you-are-waking-up-tired-and-what-you-can-do-about-it/

McCoy, B. (2013, October). Digital distractions in the classroom: Student classroom use of digital devices for non-class related purposes. University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Retrieved from https://www.researchgate.net/publication/257983603_Digital_Distractions_in_the_Classroom_Student_Classroom_Use_of_Digital_Devices_for_Non-Class_Related_Purposes

Occhipinti, M. A. (2015, February 18). Four benefits of sitting on a stability ball at work. American Fitness Professionals and Associates. Retrieved from https://www.afpafitness.com/blog/benefits-of-sitting-on-a-stability-ball-